[magellan]

Originally Posted by Rawlings

I'm in Colorado now, actually. This might be ground zero for social conservatism in America! Colorado Springs and Denver are both filled with megachurches and evangelical organizations. I was just curious what Michigan held for the same type of folks.

If you're looking for a "mega-church" type evangelical organization, I believe suydam is referring to Resurrection Life Church in Wyoming/Grandville. It is like a small city, with a coffee shop, bookstore, youth center, and much more inside.

[JimmyInGreatLakes]

Though I live in probably the most "conservative" burb of Lansing (which isn't saying much), we are still in Ingham County which is ruled by Democrats. I think something like 11 or 12 of the 13 total commissioners are Dem's. High taxes rule. If I could move to a more conservative area like West Mich. I probably would. Good people here but the political landscape leads to policies that go against what I believe or support.

[eichunchen]

My husband and I live in Zeeland, and LOVE it! It's very conservative, and there are lots of evangelical churches in the area. We live in a new development that is close to everything, but still surrounded by farmland. The only caution I would give you is that the west side of MI can be tough to break into socially, if you're not dutch. (I don't want to offend any of you dutchys out there) The dutch are great people, and really value tight knit families. Unfortunately, this can lead to them socializing mainly with their families, and not being real welcoming. I'm speaking from experience, in that my huband was raised in Holland, and is 100% dutch, and I am a transplant. They are very kind, loyal people ( and yes, the cheap jokes are true-LOL!) it just can take a little determination to break in. PM me if you'd like more specific info on churches or whatever! Blessings on your search!

[michiganmoon]

Ottawa County tends to vote around 70% in favor of Republican Presidents.

Cities in Ottawa County are:

Spring Lake
Holland
Zeeland
Grand Haven
Coopersville
Ferrysburg
Jenison

among many others

[cardwellave]

Oakland County, parts like Bloomfield Hills and the like. (Hate to say it, but more wealthy areas.)

[Schaumburger]

Originally Posted by eichunchen

My husband and I live in Zeeland, and LOVE it! It's very conservative, and there are lots of evangelical churches in the area. We live in a new development that is close to everything, but still surrounded by farmland. The only caution I would give you is that the west side of MI can be tough to break into socially, if you're not dutch. (I don't want to offend any of you dutchys out there) The dutch are great people, and really value tight knit families. Unfortunately, this can lead to them socializing mainly with their families, and not being real welcoming. I'm speaking from experience, in that my huband was raised in Holland, and is 100% dutch, and I am a transplant. They are very kind, loyal people ( and yes, the cheap jokes are true-LOL!) it just can take a little determination to break in. PM me if you'd like more specific info on churches or whatever! Blessings on your search!

As a Dutch-American I can attest to that. Although, I don't like to attribute my idiosyncrasies to my ethnicity, I find myself being thrifty. I guess this sense of thrift has helped translate many Dutch into very industrious business minded folk.

[Angelstar490]

Many Dutch Reformed in the Grand Rapids area. My county, Allegan County is very conservative and full of Republicans. My girlfriend lived in Holland for awhile and said they have a saying there 'if you ain't Dutch, you ain't much'. She felt that people weren't very friendly to her as she was an 'outsider'.

[villagefish]

Grand Rapids is pretty conservative, but I think you'd be very happy with the Grand Haven/Spring Lake area. It's more conservative than Grand Rapids, has a mall, and there are a TON of churches.

[Schaumburger]

Originally Posted by Angelstar490

Many Dutch Reformed in the Grand Rapids area. My county, Allegan County is very conservative and full of Republicans. My girlfriend lived in Holland for awhile and said they have a saying there 'if you ain't Dutch, you ain't much'. She felt that people weren't very friendly to her as she was an 'outsider'.

One question, how did the Dutch discern your girlfriend as non-Dutch?

Did your girlfriend associate small talk as a sign of "friendly" behavior. You also have to understand that the Dutch are not 'gab' oriented. A recent wave of Dutch immigrants have made their way to Grand Rapids suburbs as early as the sixties. Some of the Dutch in West Michigan are first and second generation so the parents have carried over their customs and social folkways. One of those folkways that seems to be noticed more frequently is lack of small talk. Its not simply because there is a bias, but sometimes that is how they operate.

It is not fair to say that the Dutch-Americans are intolerant. However, It is also worth noting that the Dutch-Americans that are coming over from their homeland are fleeing something. A teacher of mine in high school was Dutch and came here explicitly to flea an environment not conducive of her Christian faith.

[TulipMan]

Hi, all! I just registered, was digging through the forums and stumbled across this thread. I live in Holland, and it's pretty great, lots of churches, plus the devoses and some of the other best republicans in the state all live or have homes out here. I've always found people to be friendly but that's probably because I grew up here (I barely have any dutch in me though).

The city has done a pretty good job of keeping its dutch character and flaver in the face of all the changing jobs and people who can't keep jobs trying to move here, why people want to come spoil the good places to live is beyond me LOL

If your lookingfor a good church around here I try to go here sometimes, except its footbal season again LOL! Christ Memorial Church | Home Page